Brian Lowney: Upcoming dog shows are worth the drive

When I visited my first dog show more than 34 years ago, little did I know that a door was opening to a sport that would change the course of my life.

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southcoasttoday.com

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Posted Jun. 8, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Posted Jun. 8, 2014 at 12:01 AM

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When I visited my first dog show more than 34 years ago, little did I know that a door was opening to a sport that would change the course of my life.

I vividly recall that cold Saturday afternoon in February and traveling to West Warwick, R.I., in search of a basset hound. I observed all sorts of handsome hounds, including a beautiful young basset female that had won Best of Breed and was competing in the hound group. She was a gorgeous canine and I figured she'd produce some handsome puppies.

My mother, however, had other ideas, and fell in love with the Kerry blue terriers that were exhibited that day. Needless to say, when we couldn't locate a litter of bassets of good quality within the next few months, my mother continued her research and found a litter of Kerry blue puppies that had just been born in a kennel about a mile away from our house on the other side of Swansea.

My determined Irish mother won, and a string of delightful Kerries filled our home for more than two decades.

For the next 25 years, I frequently attended dog shows all over the Northeast and occasionally to Canada, California and elsewhere. I developed countless wonderful friendships, had the opportunity to visit fascinating places, learned about almost 200 breeds and their development, and had a lot of fun.

After purchasing a dog, I joined the Wampanoag Kennel Club, then based in New Bedford, and trained with the late Al Kirby of Westport, one of the country's leading professional handlers. I later had the pleasure to serve as the president of the club, and I'm still a member of this group of hardworking, dedicated and extremely knowledgeable dog fanciers.

Wampanoag earned a stellar reputation in the sport of purebred dogs for hosting well-run, fun-filled dog shows, and continues to host events at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds at the Wrentham Developmental Center in Wrentham. Although the venue is a bit of a hike from Greater New Bedford, it's well worth the trip to have the opportunity to meet experienced breeders and handlers and to see hundreds of the country's most beautiful, top-winning show dogs.

By combining forces with the Hockamock Kennel Club, the two organizations will host a four-day Crackerbarrel Cluster, Thursday, June 26 — Sunday, June 29, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. The Wampanoag Kennel Club sponsors the Thursday and Sunday shows.

"People who go to the shows will see a lot of really nice dogs," begins Mickey Rein, longtime Wampanoag president. "It's a good place to see a variety of dogs and to talk to breeders."

Rein, who has exhibited throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and Bermuda, has handled a variety of breeds, including Samoyeds, Black Russian terriers, Bouvier des Flandres, and Schipperkes.

"I've made some very nice lifelong friends," she tells, urging spectators and potential dog owners to attend the events to see what dog shows are all about.

"It's a good day's outing," Rein adds.

For Janet Hart, a retired teacher from Westport, exhibiting in the conformation and obedience rings has had many benefits.

"It keeps me young," she reveals. "I get out and socialize. I have to keep in shape to do it."

Hart, who has raised handsome Chesapeake Bay retrievers for more than 32 years, has owned or bred more than 15 champions and many obedience titleholders. She fell in love with the versatile sporting breed, the state dog of Maryland, while taking riding lessons from a horse trainer who owned these agile canines.

"I fell in love with them," Hart recalls. "I had to have one of those brown coats."

Dighton resident Debbie Bradshaw, a respected Cairn terrier fancier, adds that people interested in acquiring a dog can learn about rescue organizations, watch a variety of fun-filled activities, and perhaps most important, observe adult dogs and their temperaments.

"It's very educational for kids and parents alike and it's a fun day," Bradshaw shares.

Since not every dog born is destined to be a champion, and many potential owners are not interested in exhibiting but just want to buy a loyal family companion, dog shows also offer folks an opportunity to locate healthy, pet quality puppies and older dogs bred by responsible, knowledgeable breeders who are willing to assist new owners.

Highlights of the weekend include supported entries by the Pharaoh Hound Club of America on Thursday and Sunday, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of America on Sunday. Admission is $5 each day.

For more information, contact Rein at (508) 320-7435; or contact her by e-mail at: cruellathelady@aol.com.